Lowell Council's homeless discussion lights up Facebook

The Sun's Facebook page was abuzz Tuesday night as the Lowell City Council voted to look into breaking up homeless encampments along the Merrimack River. Here's a sampling:

* Jennifer Cardoza-Franklin: I disagree with kicking them out this has been a home to many of them for quite some time rather they are there by choice because they have addiction problems or they are there because they have no other choice what I do agree with is making them clean it up!!! The area does look like it's becoming a dump as well as enforcing there should be NO burning of the trees if all else fails and they cannot abide by the rules level the land

* Alcina Buckley: I have had the privilege of speaking to a couple of them. They work, one of them is incredibly gifted. They're there because they choose to be. The may not be contributing to society but they're not leaching either. Make them clean up the mess and then leave them alone.

* Danielle Daniels LeClair: Right on Alcina Buckley

* Deb Levine: A lot of them are veterans and even though they live in deplorable conditions, they are too proud to accept help from the public ... housing, welfare, food stamps, etc. ... it is too much of a mess to just leave it alone, but I don't think they should be bulldozed either. Its very sad.

* Emily Amanda: Maybe if there was more ways to shelter people then this wouldn't be a problem. no one here can possibly understand what anyone that has to live on street feels like.

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* Adam Caires: If the problem is all that trash it would be easiest to give them some garbage cans and recycling bins and have the garbage collectors add it to a route. If the problem is with them just creating shelter on some unused land and living rent free, barter the land rights for some kind of volunteer community beautification project. Let them stay in exchange for maintaining a nearby park or something.

* Bruce Baron: How about creating a campground somewhere for them, have some social services folks as rangers. I just know I pay a lot of federal taxes to help others, whether folks want to believe it or not, these folks need help.

* Dan MacNeil: People with PTSD or other mental illness often find it very difficult to be inside.

* Rosa Di Virgilio Taormina: It is a really unfortunate situation. There is one such abandoned camp off of exit 5B on the Connector. It is a disgusting mess of trash that has been left behind. Obviously people need somewhere to live. Are there not enough shelters in Lowell (I honestly have no idea)? What about at least putting trash receptacles near these areas? What can we do to help them? Removing the camps is not going to help them and that is what they need.

* Michele Mcenany: Many choose this lifestyle. Some do not. Clean it up let those that truly call it home and get the.others what they need whether detox a room mental health help. They really don't bother others. But please clean it up.

* Becky McGarry: Leave them alone! If you want to help, get them better tents, some warm bedding, and some food. Unless you know these specific people, you have no right to judge them for their situation. I'm sure none of us know what it's like to be this despondent. Stop judging people based on their current situation.

* Diane Dizacomo: they picked out the few that truly needed help for the article but the truth is, most of them dont want help.

* Gail Hovey Cassidy: Some of the folks "may choose to live there" however it's dangerous for them and others. My husband is an EMT and he and other First Responders are called to that area often. At night, especially in the winter, it's dark and slippery and difficult. We as a community must figure another way to keep them and everyone safe.

* Kevin Callery: Homelessness has many mitigating factors, that along with shelter, need to be addressed.

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